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Dana Wilson’s sentencing for child pornography charge postponed until August

Dana Wilson appeared in court today at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor. Wilson's sentencing on possessing child pornography was reset for August 20 because his psychologist could not attend his sentencing today.

BANGOR, Maine — The sentencing of former Maine Sports Hall of Famer and local DJ Dana Wilson was continued Tuesday until Aug. 20 at the Penobscot Judicial Center so that Wilson’s mental health counselor can attend and address the court.

Michael Roberts, deputy district attorney for Penobscot County, did not object to the continuance.

Wilson, 62, of Brewer on May 23 pleaded no contest to one count of possession of sexually explicit material, a Class C crime, as his jury-waived trial was scheduled to begin.

District Court Judge Gregory Campbell accepted Wilson’s plea and found him guilty of the crime. Campbell, who was a prosecutor in the Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office before he was appointed to the bench, said in May that he would accept the plea but would not impose the sentence.

Superior Court Justice Kevin Cuddy was prepared to sentence Wilson Tuesday but defense attorney Jeffrey Silverstein of Bangor asked for a continuance after John Lorenz, a Bangor psychologist who has been treating Wilson, did not appear in court.

Silverstein said outside the courthouse that Lorenz would tell the judge in August about what Wilson was going through when he viewed child pornography.

“His marriage was crumbling, his children, who are all adults, were engaged in some questionable conduct,” the defense attorney told reporters. “Mr. Wilson was under a lot of stress. We feel what Dr. Lorenz will say will be of substance and is important for the court to hear.”

Silverstein said that he would like to see Wilson sentenced to probation but no jail time.

“My position is that this case doesn’t require a long jail sentence,” the attorney said. “Mr. Wilson already has suffered a loss of respect in the community and he poses no threat to the community.”

Silverstein also said that Wilson visited child pornography websites but did not download, share or chat about videos or photographs of children engaged in sexually explicit activity.

Roberts said Monday that he would recommend a sentence of 30 months with all but six months suspended and two years of probation. A condition of probation would prevent Wilson from spending time with minors as a DJ.

Wilson was indicted June 27, 2012, by a Penobscot County grand jury on a charge of possession of sexually explicit material. He initially pleaded not guilty on Aug. 8, 2012.

He remains free on $1,000 unsecured bail with conditions that include having no contact with children under the age of 16.

The investigation into Wilson began in February 2011, Brewer police Detective Sgt. Jay Munson said on the day Wilson was indicted.

“We found no evidence of any local children or what appears to be local children [on Wilson’s computer],” Munson said last year.

Wilson has a disc jockey business and has provided music for dances sponsored by Brewer Parks and Recreation and area schools for many years, Munson said.

Monitoring of child pornography sites by law enforcement officials outside Maine led to an Internet address owned by Wilson, according to a previously published report.